Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) transmits video on a closed circuit, so it’s directly connected to a camera and media storage device. When implementing private CCTV surveillance in your home or office, you control the cameras and what is recorded. While CCTV is widely popular in the commercial industry—helping to secure public places—the accessibility of CCTV in private residences is growing. There are many different types of CCTV surveillance cameras and monitoring systems available. Before you buy, there are several factors to consider.

CCTV Surveillance Cameras

In order to choose the right CCTV surveillance system for your needs, keep the following factors in mind:

1. Indoor vs. Outdoor. What do you want to monitor? There are different cameras for indoor and outdoor use. Cameras used for indoor purposes–like monitoring cash registers, bank tellers, or inside the home–may be more inconspicuous and blend in with decor. There’s typically better audio quality so you can also hear what’s going on. Outdoor cameras need the proper mounting hardware, and should stand up to all sorts of weather conditions. Also, consider the area you want to focus on–from your front door to a large parking lot–and make sure the camera you purchase has it covered. Less conspicuous outdoor cameras can also be a useful deterrent to those who may be looking to break into your home or business.

2. Field of View. Coverage area determines how many cameras you need and where they’re set up. Some cameras can pan or tilt, thus increasing the field of view, and reducing the number of cameras. Finding the right resolution within this field of view could mean the difference between clearly identifying a face, which makes a security system more valuable.

3. Motion Detection. Both indoor or outdoor cameras can come equip to sense when something moves within its field of view. This movement can trigger the video to start recording or can even notify you through mobile alerts. This feature is helpful when you’re away from your home or office and don’t expect any visitors.

4. Sound. From recording audio to initiating dialogue through the monitoring device, having the right sound system is important. Your CCTV surveillance camera can act as an intercom in certain situations. You may also have the option of receiving sound via a microphone.

CCTV Surveillance Monitoring

Want to check in from anywhere? Having a system you can monitor remotely comes with greater peace of mind for when you can’t be in the area, but you want your presence known. Connecting CCTV surveillance to a mobile device through an app gives you the power to control the system, receive alerts, and always keep an eye on what’s important.

Want to learn more about CCTV surveillance? Contact Security Five at 610-323-9511 to talk to one of our security experts.

---